What was predicted concerning John?
“He shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb” ([Luke i, 15]).
For the above Luke was indebted to the biographer of Samson. “Both [Samson and John] were to be consecrated to God from the womb, and the same diet was prescribed for both.”—Strauss.
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When the conception of John was announced what punishment was inflicted upon Zacharias for his doubt?
Luke: “And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; ... And behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things be performed” ([i, 19, 20]).
This was evidently suggested by a passage in Daniel: “And when he [Gabriel] had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb” ([x, 15]).